Even when the sunís not out, summer brings hot weather and family vacations. Your pets will be affected by both. For a healthier, happier summer for you and your
pets, follow these tips:

Never leave your pets in a parked car, even if the windows are open. Ten minutes could be too long on a
hot day. By then, the temperature inside the car could
reach 160ļ. Thatís hot enough to cause a dog to
suffer heat stroke.

Pets donít perspire as people do. They cool themselves by panting. With only very hot air to breathe, your
pets could suffer permanent brain damage within
moments. If emergency care is not given, your pets could
die. They may want to come along, but itís much kinder to leave your pets at home with plenty of
fresh, cool
water and shade.

Check your pets regularly for fleas, which are more common in hot weather. For flea control to be effective,
your petsí entire environment must be treated,
including the yard. Never use flea control products for dogs
on cats, as they may ingest the powerful chemicals while grooming.

Without the proper planning, your dream vacation could become a nightmare for your pets. If they are staying
behind, make advance boarding reservations
with a veterinary clinic, reputable kennel or pet sitter; or make
arrangements with a responsible friend.

Your pets should always wear collars with proper identification tags (rabies and/or license) and be kept under
control in accordance with local leash laws. This
is even more important when vacationing, as pets can easily
become lost in a strange environment.